How do you design the ideal concealed carry gun?
FN took the initial idea of their popular 509 handgun and turned it into one of the best options for a concealed carry gun you’ll find on the market. The result is the 509 Midsize, and we’re going to highlight exactly what it is that sets this pistol apart.
Ask any gun dealer and they’ll tell you, a good gun is one that’s built trust over time with a consistent quality level.
Firearms like the FN 509 stem from a long line of history; the 509 belongs to a pedigree that includes the likes of the FN High Power, FN FAL, and the FN SCAR. FN is world-renowned for its military firearms, and it shows.
However, the FN 509’s superior quality, fit, and finish are what set this series of pistols apart from the pack, and are exactly what you’d expect from FN. You can instantly feel the hundreds upon hundreds of man hours spent perfecting this design the second you pick one up.
It’s obvious that FN’s engineers put in a lot of effort to produce a pistol that could easily transcend through personal defense, concealed carry, duty use, and even arm our warriors.
The FN 509 Midsize, based on the standard FN 509, is no exception to this rule. Despite its smaller size, the 509 Midsize is built with the perfect combination of a four-inch slide and barrel with a midsize frame. It retains the performance of a full-sized pistol but shrinks it down to an easily-concealed package.
Compared to the original 509, the 509 Midsize is 0.4 inches shorter in the grip. While that doesn’t sound like a lot, that reduction in grip length makes appendix carry so much easier.
The striker fired, double action autoloader comes standard with fixed 3-dot luminescent sights and a MIL-STD-1913 accessory mounting rail. The flat-faced trigger is different from the norm, but shooters will find it far more controllable with a cleaner break and adjustable 5.5- to 7.5-pound pull.
FN went farther than most firearm companies in the optimization department, focusing on any and every angle they could take to streamline and improve the 509 Midsize’s design. The 509 introduced enhanced and guarded controls to help minimize user-induced malfunctions (like premature hold open or failure to hold open on an empty magazine). As a result, the common mishaps that shooters encounter, especially with a new gun, aren’t nearly as likely to happen.
The controls were refined even more with the Midsize by making them easier to interact with and activate. FN 509 Midsize users will find the improved magazine catch guard, the improved slide stop lever, an easier-to-rack recoil spring, and the previously mentioned trigger upgrades really take the handgun to the next level.
The gun ships standard with a 15-round capacity magazine, so there’s plenty to pack away for a trip to the range. The four-inch barrel is cold hammer-forged stainless steel, the same type that’s helped set FN firearms apart for years.
You’ll notice a recessed crown in the barrel, and while its purpose may not be obvious, it goes a long way in improving your accuracy. It also protects the crown from damage. There’s an intricately polished chamber and feed ramp to keep everything sooth and reliable.
It’s well worth noting that the original, standard 509 (which is available right alongside the Midsize and the 509 Tactical model) is descended from FN’s response to the U.S. Army’s RFP release on the Modular Handgun System used by service members. The testing done to meet the requirements of the U.S. military was, needless to say, vigorous. It’s clear that the FN 509 and its MHS big brother were serious contenders in that competition.
Even though the FN pistol was not selected as the Army’s new sidearm, FN didn’t side idle and let their design go to waste. They incorporated the lessons learned and feedback they received to create the FN 509 family, now expanded with the Midsize.
For folks seeking a do-it-all range gun, a home defense and carry pistol, a back-up duty pistol, or carry model for plain clothes officers, the FN 509 Midsize is a great option.
At an MSRP of $649, the FN 509 Midsize stacks up against any comparably-priced 9mm on the market. Find an official FN dealer in your area through their online locator tool, and see for yourself.